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The 10,000 people of Tuvalu live on nine low-lying islands in the South Pacific whose highest point is a mere 13 feet above sea level. One of its nearest neighbors? The island of Samoa - due Southeast about 695 miles across open ocean.

Its environment minister, Tavau Teii, had the honor of delivering the first words to kick off the U.N. General Assembly’s second day of talks on climate change. His message, like that of speaker after speaker from the small nations of the world, was a cry for help directed at the big powers.